What comes after the Super Tenere?

Jlq1969

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 5, 2018
Messages
1,807
Location
Argentina
I think that more than the shaft transmission, the power has more weight in satisfaction. I'm not referring to extreme power, but to decide to change for something that has less power, to do the same things you have been doing, the first thing you will notice is the power instead of the transmission. Chain drives have improved a lot in the last 10 years, as has power. Today with less cm3 of displacement (and less weight), you have the same power (or more) than 10 years ago (only at a higher rpm)...but having the same power (or more), and less weight, makes Your satisfaction will increase by doing the same things….With extreme power (1290 or V4), satisfaction will come from the side of Adrenaline, if that is what you are looking for (generate more adrenaline), a 1290 is the way…. Reliability indices are also a probability and are related to the good or bad use you give to the motorcycle (a Gs Adv is not oriented towards enduro, but if you practice it there is a greater chance that something will break)… and that is what many do with it…
 

Chav

Active Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2023
Messages
112
Location
Illinois
I’d buy a low mileage ST. If you pay attention to the forum there are a lot of people including me who sought out a low mileage ST because the current bike selection is too littered with electronic gadgets and gizmos as well a oversized bikes and undersized gas tanks. I had settled on a triumph tiger 1200 but happened to stumble upon a YouTube video about the st and after looking up the specs it was exact what I wanted yet no one talks about it because it isn’t at pace with the new crap. I don’t have an issue with new tech but I felt like all the neww bikes I tested had way too much crap and not enough what mattered….like fuel
Capacity for example. Save your touch screen, electronic suspension, lean detection etc…and give me a proper fuel tank for an adventure bike. If you do the math on the fuel tank and motor the new triumph 1200 you realize you are not going anywhere far haha.
 

Cycledude

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
4,039
Location
Rib lake wi
Even I don't think that every Beemer is bad. But it's not like they'll let you keep bringing one back until you find a good one. Here's a couple of lists. The top one is the one that's been floating around since '15. The bottom one is from May '23.


Motorcycle Reliability by Brand (Consumer Reports, 2015)
BrandPredicted Failure Rate by 4th Year
Can-Am42%
BMW40%
Ducati33%
Triumph29%
Harley-Davidson26%
Victory17%
Kawasaki15%
Honda12%
Suzuki12%
Yamaha11%
---------------------------------------------Reliability rating--------------Likely to buy again (%)----------------Average lasting mileage for touring bikes--------------------------------
NumberBrandReliability RatingLikely to Buy Again (%)Average Lasting Mileage (for Touring Motorcycles)
1Honda9.287.1100,000+ miles
2Yamaha9.084.980,000+ miles
3Kawasaki8.882.480,000+ miles
4Suzuki8.781.390,000+ miles
5BMW8.577.2120,000+ miles
6Harley-Davidson8.274.980,000+ miles
7Triumph8.072.190,000+ miles
8KTM7.868.750,000+ miles
9Ducati7.565.270,000+ miles
10Indian7.261.9100,000+ miles
Interesting charts but I wouldn’t want to bet any money on the accuracy.
 

Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
Staff member
Global Moderator
2011 Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
11,529
Location
Damascus, MD
Even I don't think that every Beemer is bad. But it's not like they'll let you keep bringing one back until you find a good one. Here's a couple of lists. The top one is the one that's been floating around since '15. The bottom one is from May '23.


Motorcycle Reliability by Brand (Consumer Reports, 2015)
BrandPredicted Failure Rate by 4th Year
Can-Am42%
BMW40%
Ducati33%
Triumph29%
Harley-Davidson26%
Victory17%
Kawasaki15%
Honda12%
Suzuki12%
Yamaha11%
---------------------------------------------Reliability rating--------------Likely to buy again (%)----------------Average lasting mileage for touring bikes--------------------------------
NumberBrandReliability RatingLikely to Buy Again (%)Average Lasting Mileage (for Touring Motorcycles)
1Honda9.287.1100,000+ miles
2Yamaha9.084.980,000+ miles
3Kawasaki8.882.480,000+ miles
4Suzuki8.781.390,000+ miles
5BMW8.577.2120,000+ miles
6Harley-Davidson8.274.980,000+ miles
7Triumph8.072.190,000+ miles
8KTM7.868.750,000+ miles
9Ducati7.565.270,000+ miles
10Indian7.261.9100,000+ miles
I'll note that Moto Guzzi didn't even make the list.
:p
But if they did, the "Likely to buy again" would be pretty high.
 

Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
Staff member
Global Moderator
2011 Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
11,529
Location
Damascus, MD
It may not be the most popular choice on the forum, but a used BMW 1250 GS/A would be my top choice. Prices on 1250's are dropping crazy fast with the 1300 release, and a used 1250 should have all of the warranty "issues" sorted.
Rented a number of Beemer boxers over the years and they're fine to ride but never clicked with me.

Sure never want to own one though.
(Says the guy with a Guzzi)
 

RCinNC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2014
Messages
2,878
Location
North Carolina
I like the Transalp, and the Tenere 700. I just don't think either one would be the idea choice for a lot of two-up loaded riding. Admittedly, that criteria does narrow my choices when it comes to ADV style bike to the heavyweight class.

I've looked at the Tracer 9GT, and thought the stats for it looked good. The newer ones, with the TFT screen and adaptive cruise control and whatnot, aren't as appealing, but it does have the built in Yamaha reliability. Of course, it doesn't even make the pretension of having any off pavement capabilities.

I've never owned a BMW. A riding buddy has one, and he's very satisfied. The trouble with BMW is that it's as polarizing to motorcycle riders as Harleys are. BMW forums are full to the brim with True Believers, other motorcycle forums have plenty of former owners with tales of horror about ownership. It's tough to sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to judging their reliability. I suspect that, if someone unfamiliar with our bikes were to read one of the "ABS module failures" or "CCT failure" threads, they might draw an unfair conclusion about the S10. Just about everything can fail or break; the bigger question isn't so much "will it?" as it is "how often?".

Oddly, I almost never see the Versys 1000 talked about, outside of Kawasaki forums. It seems to be even more overlooked when it comes to ADV bikes than the Super Tenere.

I'm a former V-Strom owner (a DL 650), and the new V-Strom 1050 is a fine looking bike (and they finally have factory cruise control). They also have a chain drive, which dampens my enthusiasm.

I love the Super Tenere. And I definitely don't have new bike fever. But, after owning the S10 for as long as I have, and as many miles as I have, it's good to have at least an open mind to other possibilities.
 

livingthedream

New Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2019
Messages
7
Location
SanDiego
Motorcycling is like life...full of temptations.
Whenever I hear or read about a new "great" bike I add it to my spreadsheet.
The spreadsheet contains the criteria that are important to me (as of today).

Right now, the "next bike" winner is the 2024 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

YOMV <Your Opinion May Vary>

1712762147287.png
 

RCinNC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2014
Messages
2,878
Location
North Carolina
Motorcycling is like life...full of temptations.
Whenever I hear or read about a new "great" bike I add it to my spreadsheet.
The spreadsheet contains the criteria that are important to me (as of today).

Right now, the "next bike" winner is the 2024 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

YOMV <Your Opinion May Vary>

View attachment 110719
LOL, that's the sort of systematic approach I usually take, and get endlessly mocked for.
 

Chav

Active Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2023
Messages
112
Location
Illinois
Motorcycling is like life...full of temptations.
Whenever I hear or read about a new "great" bike I add it to my spreadsheet.
The spreadsheet contains the criteria that are important to me (as of today).

Right now, the "next bike" winner is the 2024 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

YOMV <Your Opinion May Vary>

View attachment 110719
This is what I did before I found the ST. Was endlessly in happy with the choices. Test ride both the 900 and 1200 tiger and was actually going to buy a 1200 explorer because that’s the only way I was going to get a proper fuel tank and shaft drive. Boy I’m glad I saved 20k and bought a low mile st
 

blitz11

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Messages
316
Location
SW Montana
I did buy a Tenere 700 for more "off-road" capability and to do more BDRs.

I redid the suspension on the 700 - springs, valving, and it's set up for more off-road than on road by Traxxion dynamics. (i've only ridden the bike for 7 miles). i would NOT want to do two-up on that bike. skinny, off-road biased seat, high passenger footpegs would make riding two-up miserable for the passenger.

I sold my KTM 690 duke to bankroll the 700 purchase (partially). Was thinking of not keeping the Super 10, but it will now be my highway miles eater (it's very good for that), and the 700 will be more BDR/around town riding. The Super 10 has Traxxion dynamics suspension (their valving front, penske shock rear) and it is SO good, i can't part with it, especially given how little $$$ i have in it, and how little $$$ i'd receive from the sale.

I don't think that the super-10 will ever go away. it's too good, and given resale, buying the 700 wasn't a big dent in the savings account compared to selling the Super-10,and replacing it with another 1,200 cc ADV bike. Best of both worlds for not that much money.
 

EnnK

Active Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Messages
88
Location
Tallinn, Estonia
Oddly, I almost never see the Versys 1000 talked about, outside of Kawasaki forums. It seems to be even more overlooked when it comes to ADV bikes than the Super Tenere.
I did a half a day test ride on Versys 1000 S last fall. It is a very nice bike, from ergos and ride comfort point of view very similar to S10, the wind protection is very good. The engine is sweet, I adore its sound, much better than ST, and abundant power/torque for my needs. The really only problem for me is the gear lever position. As with Tracer 9GT+, I could not get my toes conveniently under the lever to push it up. And unfortunately that can not be adjusted as opposed to GT+. And then there is this chain...
It is in no point superior to S10 and with 17 inch alloy front wheel you definately would not want to leave tarmac on it.
 

RCinNC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2014
Messages
2,878
Location
North Carolina
I didn't realize it was a chain drive; for some reason I always assumed it was shaft.

I think Kawasaki must have changed their marketing for the Versys. I recall once upon a time they were classing it as their ADV bike, but the most recent advertising I saw on Kawasaki's website seems to focus more on it being a sport touring bike.
 
Last edited:

jeckyll

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 11, 2016
Messages
657
Location
Lotusland
I don't consider the Versys 1000 an ADV bike. It's got a 17 / 17 rim setup. Upright touring, sure, but I don't think I'd want to do any real offroading with it.

Bet it would be great for 2 up touring though :)
 

Dirt_Dad

Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
5,981
Location
Northern Virginia, USA
I like the Transalp, and the Tenere 700. I just don't think either one would be the idea choice for a lot of two-up loaded riding. Admittedly, that criteria does narrow my choices when it comes to ADV style bike to the heavyweight class.
Your criteria makes it darn near impossible to limit yourself to just one bike. I'm at three and I think I have my bases covered.

If you like the T7, the KTM890 is worth a look. Even in the non-R version it very capable off road, more stable that you could ever imagine. It takes very few tweaks to get it to a good long distance ride. It does have comfort challenges for two up loaded riding. I've done all day rides in comfort on my 890R version. Excellent choice for dirt and long distance...single rider. Haven't done two up.

Everyone's tired of hearing me paddle on about the 1290. It's more reliable than any of my four Teneres. Although, full disclosure, around 33K miles it did have a failed stator that was a true PITA. It never left me stranded, but it did force me to deal with it while traveling in a foreign country. I completely ignore the chain. It's just not a factor. The great thing about that bike is it's time machine qualities. I'm 30 years younger when I ride it, but I still have my 50+ years of riding experience brain keeping me safe. If you don't care for an adrenaline fix while riding, there's no point to owning this machine. It definitely isn't for everyone.

The Gold Wing is a bit of a surprise to me. Littlest bike I own, almost silly small...until you go to push with the engine off. I expected it to be sporty, I did not expect it to be a threat to my 1290. Total shock. I've never admitted it to anyone but DM...but it actually threatened the SAS for a while. It's that much of a beast when you uncork it. Obviously not an Adventure bike by any measure, but if you're looking for two up loaded riding...it's a Gold Wing. You can't do better...period.

After the first 1K miles of exclusively riding the Gold Wing, getting on the SAS for the first time in 6 weeks felt foreign and awkward. It was disturbing, confusing, and honestly...concerning. Could a Gold Wing really replace the beloved SAS? After 30 minutes on the 1290...then a few hours, the SAS reclaimed it's rightful place as the most satisfying, thoroughly entertaining, completely and utterly perfectly matched to me as any bike I have ever owned. I loved all my Super Teneres over the decade I had them, but none of them ever provided the total riding perfection of the 1290.

Good luck...I think you need more than one to fulfill your riding requirements. Nothing wrong with that.
 
Last edited:

Mad_Matt

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2023
Messages
314
Location
Colorado
The KTM LC8 is one of the best engines ever...full stop. I almost bought a new 1290 SAR, but the only way I could get the new egos to work for me was with the rally seat, which brings the overall seat height to something stupid, like 38 inches.
 
Top